{{tnr}}'''Silvestre Reyes''' (b. November 10, 1944) is a [[Democratic]] member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from the state of [[Texas]]. Reyes represents the 16th congressional district of Texas and was first elected to the House in 1996.

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{{tnr}}'''Silvestre Reyes''' (b. November 10, 1944) was a [[Democratic]] member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from the state of [[Texas]]. Reyes represented the 16th congressional district of Texas from 1997 to 2013.

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Reyes ran for re-election in 2012. He was defeated by [[Beto O'Rourke]] in the Democratic primary on May 29, 2012.

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''Politico'' had listed Reyes as an incumbent facing a serious primary challenge in 2012.<ref name="pol"/>

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Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by ''GovTrack'', Reyes was a "[[GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking|rank-and-file Democrat]]".<ref>[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/silvestre_reyes/400337 ''Gov Track'' "Reyes" Accessed May 25, 2012]</ref>

==Biography==

==Biography==

After earning his associate's degree, Reyes served in the U.S. Army for two years, including service in Vietnam. Reyes then joined the U.S. Border Patrol, where he worked for over 26 years.<ref name="bio">[http://reyes.house.gov/Biography/ ''Official House website'' "Biography," Accessed October 27, 2011]</ref>

After earning his associate's degree, Reyes served in the U.S. Army for two years, including service in Vietnam. Reyes then joined the U.S. Border Patrol, where he worked for over 26 years.<ref name="bio">[http://reyes.house.gov/Biography/ ''Official House website'' "Biography," Accessed October 27, 2011]</ref>

==Career==

==Career==

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* 1997-present: U.S. House of Representatives

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* 1997-2013: U.S. House of Representatives

* 1969-1995: U.S. Border Patrol

* 1969-1995: U.S. Border Patrol

* 1966-1968: U.S. Army

* 1966-1968: U.S. Army

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===U.S. House===

===U.S. House===

====2011-2012====

====2011-2012====

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Reyes is a member of the following House committees<ref>[http://reyes.house.gov/biography/committees.htm ''Official House website'' "Committee Assignments," Accessed October 27, 2011]</ref>:

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Reyes was a member of the following House committees<ref>[http://reyes.house.gov/biography/committees.htm ''Official House website'' "Committee Assignments," Accessed October 27, 2011]</ref>:

* [[United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services|House Committee on Armed Services]]

* [[United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services|House Committee on Armed Services]]

** Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces ''Democratic ranking member''

** Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces ''Democratic ranking member''

:Excerpt: "Education is both the birthright of every American and the foundation of our nations greatness and success. Education has made us a freer people and unleashed the great potential of our diverse country."

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|rank=155

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|total=192

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*'''Providing Access to Quality and Affordable Health Care

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|chamber=House

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:Excerpt: "As a border community, El Paso faces unique health care challenges, including a high incidence of diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, and cancer; a disproportionate number of uninsured and underinsured; and a shortage of health care professionals."

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|year=November 2011

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|DHouse=Y

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*'''Securing Our Borders and Our Nation

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}}

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:Excerpt: "As residents of the US-Mexico border region in the post-September 11th world, El Pasoans understand the challenges of balancing our binational lifestyle and economy with our safety and security. To have true national security, we need to safeguard ourselves from attack while also safeguarding our economy and way of life."

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*'''Leading on Border Issues

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:Excerpt: "I ran for Congress in 1996 after serving in the United States Border Patrol for over 26 years to address what I saw as a lack of leadership in Washington on border issues. Thirteen years later, I remain the only Member of Congress with federal border law enforcement experience, and I am proud to provide leadership to my colleagues, my party, and my country on border security immigration, and other border issues."

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*'''Providing Water for El Paso and Protecting Our Natural Resources

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:Excerpt: "Water is the most precious natural resource, especially in a desert city like El Paso. Competent resource management and cooperation among stakeholders is essential if we are to grow as a city and ensure our survival"

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*'''Improving Care for Veterans

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:Excerpt: "As a Vietnam combat veteran and as the federal representative for the El Paso region's nearly 60,000 veterans, one of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is the well being of our veterans."

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*'''Supporting Our Soldiers and Ft. Bliss

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:Excerpt: "The military and the economy are closely intertwined in El Paso. Our military base, Fort Bliss, has grown into one of the crown jewels of the United States Army, and it has become a major positive force in the El Paso economy."

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*'''Supporting a Strong Workforce

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:Excerpt: "The election of a Democratic Congress and the inauguration of President [[Barack Obama]] brought with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism for our country and the labor movement in particular. After years of Republican leadership that was disconnected from the plight of everyday working Americans, indifferent toward middle class families, and focused on providing tax breaks for the wealthy, there is now renewed hope in Washington, D.C."

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*'''Supporting Small Businesses in El Paso

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:Excerpt: "Small businesses are the engine of America's economic system and supporting their growth and vitality in El Paso is a top priority. Fostering and maintaining a business-friendly environment is key to sustained economic growth."

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===Specific votes===

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====Fiscal Cliff====

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{{Support vote}}

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Reyes voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll659.xml ''U.S. House'' "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.]</ref>

Reyes ran for re-election in the [[U.S. Congress elections, 2012|2012 election]] for the [[U.S. House elections, 2012|U.S. House]], representing [[United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2012|Texas']] [[Texas' 16th congressional district elections, 2012|16th District]]. He was defeated by [[Beto O'Rourke]] in the Democratic primary on May 29, 2012.<ref>[http://www.txdemocrats.org/2012/ Texas Democratic Party - Democratic Primary Candidates]</ref>

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According to a March 30, 2012 article from ''The Washington Post,'' that noted the top 10 incumbents who could lose their primaries, Reyes was the 2nd most likely incumbent to lose his primary.<ref name="post">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/the-next-jean-schmidt-the-top-10-house-incumbents-who-could-lose-their-primaries/2012/03/30/gIQA5dOalS_blog.html ''The Washingotn Post'' "The next Jean Schmidt? The top 10 House incumbents who could lose their primaries" Accessed April 1, 2012]</ref> Competition in the [[Texas' 16th congressional district elections, 2012|primary]] from former El Paso City Councilman [[Beto O'Rourke]] and being targeted by the Campaign for Primary Accountability were the main reasons for his vulnerability.<ref name="post"/> The article even goes so far as to state, "Reyes may be the Democrat most likely to lose his primary."<ref name="post"/>

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''Politico'' has also noted Reyes' vulnerability, saying Reyes faced his first primary threat since 1996. [[Beto O'Rourke]] portrayed Reyes as unresponsive and entrenched; the challenger also raised significant funding and received support from the [[Campaign for Primary Accountability]]. Reyes responded by gathering endorsements from [[Barack Obama]] and Bill Clinton, as well as pointing out O'Rourke's support of marijuana legalization.<ref name="pol">[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/75895.html ''Politico'' "5 incumbents facing primary fight," May 3, 2012]</ref>

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====Targeted====

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Reyes was targeted by the [[Super PAC]] [[Campaign for Primary Accountability]] in the 16th district Democratic primary. The PAC targeted Reyes because he had served for a long time, his constituents are dissatisfied, and there was a capable challenger.<ref>[http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/04/houston-based-super-pac-targeting-more-texas-incumbents/ ''Houston Chronicle blog'' "Houston-based super PAC targeting more Texas incumbents," April 8, 2012]</ref>

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A Reyes spokesperson criticized the Campaign for Primary Accountability's implicit support of primary Reyes challenger [[Beto O'Rourke]], pointing out that Republican House Majority Leader [[Eric Cantor]] had contributed to the PAC for its efforts in a Republican primary in Illinois. The Huffington Post reports that the PAC's targeting of both Democratic and Republican incumbents means contributions like Cantor's will be controversial.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/eric-cantor-chaos-campaign-for-primary-accountability_n_1419179.html ''Huffington Post'' "Eric Cantor Chaos: Campaign For Primary Accountability Donation Becomes Texas Democratic Issue," April 11, 2012]</ref>

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===2010===

===2010===

On November 2, 2010, Reyes won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Tim Besco (R), Bill Collins (L), and Tim Collins (Write-in).<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2010election.pdf ''U.S. Congress House Clerk'' "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"]</ref>

On November 2, 2010, Reyes won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Tim Besco (R), Bill Collins (L), and Tim Collins (Write-in).<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2010election.pdf ''U.S. Congress House Clerk'' "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"]</ref>

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==Analysis==

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===Congressional staff salaries===

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::''See also: [[Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives]]''

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The website ''Legistorm'' compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Reyes paid his congressional staff a total of $960,984 in 2011. Overall, [[Texas]] ranked 27th in average salary for representative staff. The average [[U.S. House of Representatives]] congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.<ref>[http://www.legistorm.com/member/2801/Rep_Silvestre_Reyes.html ''LegiStorm'', "Silvestre Reyes," Accessed September 13, 2012]</ref>

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===Net worth===

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:: ''See also: [[Net Worth of United States Senators and Representatives]]''

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====2011====

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Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by ''OpenSecrets.org'', Reyes' net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $2,002 to $30,000. That averages to $16,001, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874. His average net worth increased by 100.01% from 2010.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00006067&year=2011 ''OpenSecrets.org'' "Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), 2011," accessed February 25, 2013]</ref>

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====2010====

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Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by ''OpenSecrets.org'', Reyes' net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,001 to $15,000. That averages to $8,000.50 which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00006067&year=2010 ''OpenSecrets.org'', "Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), 2010," Accessed September 13, 2012]</ref>

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===National Journal vote ratings===

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:: ''See also: [[National Journal vote ratings]]''

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====2012====

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Each year ''National Journal'' publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 131st in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-vote-ratings ''National Journal,'' "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," March 7, 2013]</ref>

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====2011====

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Each year ''National Journal'' publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 163rd in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.<ref>[http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings2011/searchable-vote-ratings-tables-house-20120223 ''National Journal,'' "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," February 23, 2012]</ref>

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===Voting with party===

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====November 2011====

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{{Congress vote percent

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|name=Reyes

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|party=Democratic

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|percent=88.8%

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|rank=155

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|total=192

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|chamber=House

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|year=November 2011

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|DHouse=Y

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}}

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==Recent news==

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{{submit a bio}}

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This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term '''Silvestre + Reyes + Texas + Congress'''

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:''All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.''

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "Education is both the birthright of every American and the foundation of our nations greatness and success. Education has made us a freer people and unleashed the great potential of our diverse country."

Providing Access to Quality and Affordable Health Care

Excerpt: "As a border community, El Paso faces unique health care challenges, including a high incidence of diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, and cancer; a disproportionate number of uninsured and underinsured; and a shortage of health care professionals."

Securing Our Borders and Our Nation

Excerpt: "As residents of the US-Mexico border region in the post-September 11th world, El Pasoans understand the challenges of balancing our binational lifestyle and economy with our safety and security. To have true national security, we need to safeguard ourselves from attack while also safeguarding our economy and way of life."

Leading on Border Issues

Excerpt: "I ran for Congress in 1996 after serving in the United States Border Patrol for over 26 years to address what I saw as a lack of leadership in Washington on border issues. Thirteen years later, I remain the only Member of Congress with federal border law enforcement experience, and I am proud to provide leadership to my colleagues, my party, and my country on border security immigration, and other border issues."

Providing Water for El Paso and Protecting Our Natural Resources

Excerpt: "Water is the most precious natural resource, especially in a desert city like El Paso. Competent resource management and cooperation among stakeholders is essential if we are to grow as a city and ensure our survival"

Improving Care for Veterans

Excerpt: "As a Vietnam combat veteran and as the federal representative for the El Paso region's nearly 60,000 veterans, one of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is the well being of our veterans."

Supporting Our Soldiers and Ft. Bliss

Excerpt: "The military and the economy are closely intertwined in El Paso. Our military base, Fort Bliss, has grown into one of the crown jewels of the United States Army, and it has become a major positive force in the El Paso economy."

Supporting a Strong Workforce

Excerpt: "The election of a Democratic Congress and the inauguration of President Barack Obama brought with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism for our country and the labor movement in particular. After years of Republican leadership that was disconnected from the plight of everyday working Americans, indifferent toward middle class families, and focused on providing tax breaks for the wealthy, there is now renewed hope in Washington, D.C."

Supporting Small Businesses in El Paso

Excerpt: "Small businesses are the engine of America's economic system and supporting their growth and vitality in El Paso is a top priority. Fostering and maintaining a business-friendly environment is key to sustained economic growth."

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Reyes voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[6]

According to a March 30, 2012 article from The Washington Post, that noted the top 10 incumbents who could lose their primaries, Reyes was the 2nd most likely incumbent to lose his primary.[8] Competition in the primary from former El Paso City Councilman Beto O'Rourke and being targeted by the Campaign for Primary Accountability were the main reasons for his vulnerability.[8] The article even goes so far as to state, "Reyes may be the Democrat most likely to lose his primary."[8]

Politico has also noted Reyes' vulnerability, saying Reyes faced his first primary threat since 1996. Beto O'Rourke portrayed Reyes as unresponsive and entrenched; the challenger also raised significant funding and received support from the Campaign for Primary Accountability. Reyes responded by gathering endorsements from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as pointing out O'Rourke's support of marijuana legalization.[1]

Targeted

Reyes was targeted by the Super PACCampaign for Primary Accountability in the 16th district Democratic primary. The PAC targeted Reyes because he had served for a long time, his constituents are dissatisfied, and there was a capable challenger.[9]

A Reyes spokesperson criticized the Campaign for Primary Accountability's implicit support of primary Reyes challenger Beto O'Rourke, pointing out that Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had contributed to the PAC for its efforts in a Republican primary in Illinois. The Huffington Post reports that the PAC's targeting of both Democratic and Republican incumbents means contributions like Cantor's will be controversial.[10]

2010

On November 2, 2010, Reyes won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Tim Besco (R), Bill Collins (L), and Tim Collins (Write-in).[11]

U.S. House of Representatives General Election, Texas Congressional District 16, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Silvestre ReyesIncumbent

58.1%

49,301

Republican

Tim Besco

36.6%

31,051

Libertarian

Bill Collins

5.1%

4,319

Write-in

Tim Collins

0.3%

221

Total Votes

84,892

Campaign donors

Breakdown of the source of Reyes's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Reyes won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Reyes' campaign committee raised a total of $1,044,123 and spent $1,040,966.[12]

Analysis

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Reyes paid his congressional staff a total of $960,984 in 2011. Overall, Texas ranked 27th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[13]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Reyes' net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $2,002 to $30,000. That averages to $16,001, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874. His average net worth increased by 100.01% from 2010.[14]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Reyes' net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,001 to $15,000. That averages to $8,000.50 which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[15]

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 131st in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[16]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Reyes ranked 163rd in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[17]

Voting with party

November 2011

Reyes voted with the Democratic Party 88.8% of the time, which ranked 155 among the 192 House Democratic members as of November 2011.[18]